Territorial Evolution, 1876

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Abstract

The District of Keewatin is formed from part of the Northwest Territories in 1876. Canada’s long and diversified settlement history is reflected in the two distinct patterns of boundaries that differentiate between eastern and western Canada. The eastern boundaries closely conform to natural features such as drainage basins, while the boundaries of western and northern Canada reflect the administrative organisation of these lands by, first, the Hudson’s bay Company and later the Government of Canada.

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Canada

On October 7, 1876, a large part of the Northwest Territories was detached and set apart under the name of District of Keewatin. This was done in order to provide government for the area to the west of Ontario and to the east and north of Manitoba. The district was to be temporary.

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Photograph of the Alert at Cape Beechey

Shortly after the creation of the district, it was found that there was an epidemic of smallpox on the western side of Lake Winnipeg. A Board of Health for the district was quickly organized, and thanks to the work of its officers, the disease was kept within a small area. This epidemic showed the importance of the district government, since if the epidemic had spread, it could have had serious effects on the populations of both Manitoba and Ontario.

District of Keewatin

The District of Keewatin was bounded by Ontario, Manitoba, the Arctic Ocean and Hudson Bay. Its boundaries were described as follows:

• in the east, the boundary of Ontario, then due north to Hudson Bay, and then the shores of Hudson Bay
• in the south, the international boundary, from the boundary of Ontario to that of Manitoba
• in the west, the easterly boundary of Manitoba to the north-east angle of the province, then west along the northern boundary of Manitoba to Lake Manitoba, then north along a series of lakes and portages to Cedar Lake, and then due north to the northerly limits of Canada
• in the north, the boundary followed the northerly limit of Canada from the westerly line to the shores of Hudson Bay

The animation Territorial Evolution 1867 to 1999 shows sequentually the history of the political boundary changes in Canada from Confederation to the creation of Nunavut.